There once was a man, his name John, sent by God to point out the way to the Life-Light. He came to show everyone where to look, who to believe in. John was not himself the Light; he was there to show the way to the Light.
When Jews from Jerusalem sent a group of priests and officials to ask John who he was, he was completely honest. He didn’t evade the question. He told the plain truth: “I am not the Messiah.”
They pressed him, “Who, then? Elijah?” “I am not.” “The Prophet?” “No.”
Exasperated, they said, “Who, then? We need an answer for those who sent us. Tell us something- anything! – about yourself.”
“I’m thunder in the desert: ‘Make the road straight for God!’ I’m doing what the prophet Isaiah preached.”
Those sent to question him were from the Pharisee party. Now they had a question of their own: “If you’re neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet, why do you baptize?”
John answered, “I only baptise using water. A person you don’t recognise has taken his stand in your midst. He comes after me, but he is not in second place to me. I’m not even worthy to hold his coat for him.”
These conversations took place in Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptising at the time.
In John’s Gospel, John is not the Baptist – he is the Witness; the first witness. As great a light as John is – in every cell of his being – he knows he is not the Light.
The authorities may well have rallied around him; his followers were clearly devoted to him – the recorded criticism and exclusion of Jesus and his friends. He may have had his idiosyncrasies but there was something familiar in his ministry – ‘are you Elijah?’ He fits the profile; there had been many, many years of God’s silence before John but there is little difference between him and the prophets that had come before.
A true prophet; John knew that Jesus would be so much more than he could imagine – couldn’t image – remember his message from prison – ‘are you the One?’. John (and John) warns us – don’t be distracted; look beyond; don’t settle for ‘enough’.
To paraphrase St Paul we may follow spiritual guides such as Rhor or Merton or Fr so-and-so; but they are just human beings on the same journey as us; we are meant for Jesus. For that personal calling, holding, healing relationship that John wants us to believe truly ours.
John 1 6-8 19-28 There once was a man, his name John, sent by God to point out the way to the Life-Light. He came to show everyone where to look, who to believe in. John was not himself the Light; he was there to show the way to the Light. When Jews fromRead More →
MASS & SERVICE TIMES Saturday 9th December 4:45pm – Sacrament of Reconciliation 5:15pm – Francis Sunday 10th December – 2ND ADVENT (CYCLE B) 9;30am – People of the Parish 11:00am – Bridget Walsh 12:00pm – PENSIONER’S PARTY Monday 11th December 9:30am – Service of Word and Communion Tuesday 12th December 9:30am -Service of Word and Communion Wednesday Read More →
Mark 1 1 – 8 The good news of Jesus Christ – the Message! – begins here, following to the letter the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. Watch closely: I’m sending my preacher ahead of you; He’ll make the road smooth for you. Thunder in the desert! Prepare for God’s arrival! MakeRead More →
MASS & SERVICE TIMES Saturday 2nd December 4:45pm – Sacrament of Reconciliation 5:15pm – Claire Backhouse RIP Sunday 3rd December – 1ST ADVENT (CYCLE B) 9;30am – Andrew Horne RIP 11:00am – People of the Parish Monday 4th December 9:30am – Service of Word and Communion 7:30pm – Scripture Group Tuesday 5th December 9:30am – Service of WordRead More →
Mark 13 33 –37 Jesus said to his disciples. “Keep a sharp lookout, for you don’t know the timetable. It’s like a man who takes a trip, leaving home and putting his servants in charge, each assigned a task, and commanding the gatekeeper to stand watch. So, stay at your post, watching.Read More →
MASS & SERVICE TIMES Saturday 25th November 4:45pm – Sacrament of Reconciliation 5:15pm – Monica and Peter Robinson RIP Sunday 26th November – CHRIST THE KING (CYCLE A) 9;30am – Maddelena Rocco RIP 11:00am – People of the Parish Monday 27th November 9:30am – Service of Word and Communion Tuesday 28th November 9:30am – Mass –Read More →
Matthew 25 31-46 Jesus said to his disciples. “When he finally arrives, blazing in beauty and all his angels with him, the Son of Man will take his place on his glorious throne. Then all the nations will be arranged before him and he will sort the people out, much as a shepherd sortsRead More →
MASS & SERVICE TIMES Saturday 18th November 4:45pm – Sacrament of Reconciliation 5:15pm – The Gardner family (father & son) Sunday 19th November – 33rd SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (CYCLE A) 9;30am – Norah Hunt RIP 11:00am – People of the Parish Monday 20th November 9:30am – Mass – Hugh Duffy (Sick) 7:30pm – Scripture Group TuesdayRead More →
Matthew 25 14 – 30 Jesus spoke this parable to his disciples. “The Kingdom of heaven is like a man going off on an extended trip. He called his servants together and delegated responsibilities. To one he gave five thousand dollars, to another two thousand, to a third one thousand, depending onRead More →
MASS & SERVICE TIMES This Sunday we commemorate the contribution of British and Commonwealth military and civilian servicemen and women in the two World Wars and later conflicts. Saturday 11th November 4:45pm – Sacrament of Reconciliation 5:15pm – Claire Backhouse R.I.P Sunday 12th November – 32nd SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (CYCLE A) 9;30am – People ofRead More →
St Joseph’s RC Church, Woodford Lane, Winsford, CW7 2JS - Diocese of Shrewsbury - Registered Charity No 234025